Can-closing machine



F. RUDOLPHI.

Y CAN CLOSING MACHINE.

. APPucATxoN FILED Dec. 1. 1915. 1,327,966.

2 SHEETS-SHEET lwilneooeo Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

F. RUDOLPHI.

CAN CLOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 950.1. 1915.

1,327,966, Patented Jan.r13, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Illlm llllill-llllll Frank Rudolph/1L Unep srnrns PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK RUDOLPI-II, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO .AMERICAN CQN COMIANTY, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY. l

CAN-CLOSING MACHINE.

1,327,9ee. y

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented 3,11, 1,3, 1920,

Application filed December 1, 191,5. Serial No. 64,473. l

To all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK RUDoL'Pni a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Can-Closing Machines, of which the following is a specification. i

The invention relates to can closing machines, and more particularly to such machines wherein rotary seam forming and closing rolls are employed. These rolls re quire very accurate adjustment, the first operation roll for the purpose of preliminarily curling the flanges of the can elements (body and end) and interlocking the saine to make a lpartly formed seam, and the second operation roll to flatten and complete said seam to entirely close it and make it hermetio. After said rolls have been accurately adjusted it is often necessary to omit said second operation so that the filled cans, having ends attached, will come from the closing machine with partly open seams which are not air, gas or steam tight, whereby the cans may be processed or further processed (with escape of air,` gas or steam) before their seams are `hermetically closed. it is detrimental for this purpose to remove the second operation roll as the rotary scanning head would thereby be unbalanced; it is also very undesirable to leave the second operation roll on the seaming head, but adjusted radially out of operation by its adjusting means because its previous careful adjustment is thereby lost. The present iniprovement has for its objects to overcome said objections by providing means whereby the roll which is not desired to operate may be left on the seaming head, but may be thrown out of operation by devices independent of its adjusting means; so that, when it is desired to again use said roll, it may be merely thrown back to operative position and thereby caused to resume its former perfectly adjusted position.

With such objects in view, as well as the attainment of all other features of usefulness and advantage which are inherent in the irnproved can closing machine, the. invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shown in Athe accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements, ink their ,useful ap? plications to the particular construction" which, for thepurpose ,of exampla'has been made the subject o f illustration, i In the said drawings A l Figure 1 is a vertical section 4of a seaming head forcan closing machines, thesameueinfbodying the invention. i' i" Fig. 2 is a side view of the sa1ne. Fig. v is la bottom yplan view of ftheseaminghead.l

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on ,line IV? ivofrigi.'

Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly insectigonon line V-V of Fig. 6, on a larger scale, of a portion of the seaming head.l A A y Fig. 6 is an `elevation looking toward the left hand side of Fig. 5. j

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on line VII-VII of Fig. 5; l 'i 'y Referring yto the drawings, 87 .indicates a .tion roller actuating. clamsV "and 145-1',

which lwillfbely hereinafter described. VEX- a hollowchuckspindle 14'7'carryingat its lower end and 'below'the seaming headlbody 140 an upper chuck member `148 "whicli clo-4 operates with the usual or any suitable. can

tending vertically within the`lspindle143'is lifter to `holdthe'can fixed during .the 'seainQ` ing operation. Located within the y*chuck spindle 147 is averticalreciprocating knockout rod consisting of an upper section l149 and a lower section 150-connected byascarf kjoint 151. The lower section 150 is provided at its lower extremity with a can engaging pad 152 which nests within a recess f lfin the chuck member 148 whilea canisbeing seamed but which descends and 4as sist'slfin extracting the can from the selaniinghead when ythe seam iscompleted.

The lower parts of thetwo fianges 1,42 are horizontally channeledl as vat to for the Slidwiey or track .1.4.1. .-fQr hardened-realli del 9 opposed first and second seaming roll slides y156 and 156. The upper and lower surfaces side oit' the slides 156 and 156 are L-shaped brackets 158 and 156 which support the first and second operation rolls 159 and 159. The lirst operation roll is provided with a lcomparatively deep flange-turning periph keral groove 160 and the second operation roll with a comparatively shallow yflangeilattening and closing groove 160. These rolls are axially mounted and journaled upon roller pins 161 between which and the seaniing rollers are located roller bearing cages 162 which retain vertical anti-friction rollers 163. rEhe roller pins 161 are held in place by tangential locking pins 164 which extend horizontally through the seaining roll slides 156 and 156 and engage recesses 165 in the roller pins, thus retaining the saine in place. The brackets 158 and 158 are protected from wear occasioned by the seaming rolls by plates 166 interposed be tween the seaming rolls and the said brackets. rInterposed between the seaming rolls and the slides 156 and 156 are hardened steel washer plates 167. These plates take practically all oit' the wear caused by the rolls and protect the slides and brackets which, for the object of reducing weight, are constructed of suitable metal and may be replaced when desired.

It is necessary that these rolls be susceptible to a very accurate and line adjustment in order that perfect hermetic seams may be produced. To facilitate this there are provided in the upper faces of the seaming roll slides, channels 168 with under cut walls adapted to receive adjusting slides 170 and 17 O which are slidable radially within the said channels. These slides have in their upper surfaces, lateral notches or recesses 171 adapted to receive the lower ends of levers 17 2 and 172', which are actuated by the cams 145, 145 as will be described later. Threaded into the ends of the adjusting slides are horizontal adjusting screws 178 the heads 174 of which project below the lower surfaces of' the adjusting slides and engage in notches 175 in the upper faces of the seaming roll slides 156 and 156, thus preventing longitudinal displacement oi' the adjusting slides in relation to the said seaming roll slides unless said screws be turned. Threaded into and projecting vertically trom the seaming roll slides are cap screws 176 which extend through slots 177 in the adjusting slides 17 0 and 17 0 and which lock together the adjustingr slides and the seaming roll slides in their desired and adjusted positions relative to each other. In adjusting the seaming rolls the adjusting slides may be considered as stationary, being held so by the cam-actuated levers 172 and 172 engaging` the lateral notches 171. The cap screws 176 being loosened, the horizontal adjusting screws 17 3 are turned, their heads 174 engaging the notches 175 in the seaming roll slides, and forcing the slides with the scanning` rolls either inwardly or outwardly as the case may be until the desired seam is obtained. lThe set screws 176 are then tightened, locking the slides together in their adjusted positions. Y

Between the upper flanges 142 of the seaming disk, and substantially above the seaming roll slides, are pivotally mounted, by means of pivot pins 178 and 178, the said first and second operation cani-actuated levers 17 2 and 172 the lower ends of which engage the lateral recesses 171 in the adjusting slides 170 and 170. The pivot pins 178 and 178 are prevented from rotating within their bearings by lugs 179 which engage flat euri-'aces 180 on the sides ot the heads 181 ot said pivot pins. These pins are removably held in place by leaf springs 182 which are ivotally secured to the flanges 142, the ot ier extremities engaging notches 184 in the heads 181. The pivot pins 178 and 178 are further provided with grease cups 185 which furnish lubrication for the said levers. The upper ends of these levers carry cam rollers 186 and 186 which bear against the cams 145 and 145 carried by the sleeve 144 on the seaming head spindle 143. The upper ends of the levers are also provided with outwardly projecting solid metal weighted heads 187 and 187 which serve to some extent in counterhalancing the weight of the seaming rolls and slides when released by the cams 145 and 145 and thrown outwardly out of operative position by the centrifugal force of the revolving head, thus avoiding the danger ot breakage that might otherwise result from a too sudden or violent outward movement of the seaming rolls and their slides.

The sanitary or double seaming is accomplished by two operations. The first operation is to form a curl on the end iiange or on both the cam end and cani body iianges, leaving said flanges interlocking by a loose partly nished seam, and this is performed by the comparatively deep groove 160 in the first operation roll 159. rlChe second operation is to complete the seam commenced by the first roll and flattenv out the saine and render it absolutely impervious to air, which is done by he comparatively shallow or flat annular groove 160 in the second operation roll 159.

1t is quite frequently desirable to throw the second operation roll out of operative position without disturbingl its adjustment by the slide 170 in relation to the seaming head, or the equilibrium of the seamingihead .by bodily removing it fromthe ihead. `For example, in adj usting 4the .first operation roll to make-a correct'ffirstseam, litis imperative madesatisfactory. -Again `it is often necessary in canning certainr food.stuff`sthat the iirst loose seam should be-formed-andv be- Ifore the seam is renderedair tight 'byV the action of the second operation--roll, to; remove the can from the closingmachine` to an exhaust box where the can and contents are heated for the necessaryflengthzof; time under a suitable temperature (of approximately 200O F.) .in lorder that certain gases liable to cause swelly or spring heads ofthe cans be exhausted through the f comparatively loose rst seam, and -to then return the can to thelclosing machinefor the second and finishing seaming operation. TheV meansl for thus throwing the second operation roll out of engagement with .the can without removing the same `from the seaming head is as follows: Mounted within the second operation lever 172 and about its pivot pin 178 is an eccentricvbushing188 having a substantially rectangular head 189 which nests within a corresponding. recess 190 in the side of the lever 172. The bushing 188 is thus held against rotation in its desired position.l and with its head 189*flush with the side of the lever, andA against lateral displacement between the walls 142 which form the bearings for the lever pivots.

In operative positiongthe` thick part' 191 of the bushing 188 is toward the center of the head and the thin part 192 turned outwardly. To disengage the second operation Y roll 159 as mentioned, the-pivot pin 17 8 is re* moved and the lever 172 lifted out. The bushing l188 is then given one half turn bringing the thin part 192 of the same toward the center of the seaming head and the thick part 191 opposite. The lever is then replaced and the pivot' pin inserted. In replacing the lever and its pivot and at the same time engaging theglower end `of `the lever with the notchr 171, the slide 156 has to be moved a little outward from its former position. The second operation roll .is-now out of operation and the head is adapted to make a first seam only. .In order that no mistake may be made as to how the bushing 188 should be turned, either to seam4 or not to seam, the head of thesame on the sides vadjacent the thick part 191 and thin part 192 is stamped Seam and No seam respectively, and the, side.l of 1 thel lever is stamped withan arrow shown inthedrawings l(Fig. 5). By thus2 giving the bushing v onehalf revolution thereby moving'the thick part, of .the same. outward, gin,.- relatien to 4the scanning head, and the pivot ,piny 17 8V being consldered asstationary, the pivotal center ofthelever has been moved outwardly yor farther away from the centerofithe-seaming head This beingithe case, ,whenfthe cam z 145', on the vertically. sliding sleeve1144, ac-

tuates the upper end ofthe lever172, ,causing the same ,to oscillate about itspivot 17 8, the innermost vlimit `of :the arc described by 'the lower: end ofthe said lever isJ farther avvayfrom'vthe'y center `ofthe head,l and. the roll 159 will not'move-l as far inwardlyv as it y-f did before y the eccentricy bushing 188 .f was .given'its half turn, and cannot operate on :the-can or can end flanges.

At the upper part of the cam4 carrying rotary sleeve 144 and fintegral'therewith is an annular' collar198 providedwith a peripheral groove 199 which carries a split non.-

- rotary ring 200. yThis ring is .provlded with4 ,horizontal diametrically opposed lchannels A. 201 adapted .to receive twoy slidingshoes 202.

These shoes are provided with trunnions 203 whlch arevipivoted to the arms of a yoke. 204 ron, one end Of a vseaming roll actuating lever` 205.V `fThe lever 205 .is orfinay be pivotally mounted at its center upon fthe casing of the machine by means of an eccentric .pivot pin,

by which avery fine vertical. adjustment of l the sleeve 144 may be had. yThe inner extremity of the lever 205 is provided with a `roller 207 lwhich engages a grooved` cam 208 fixed on` the vertical cam shaft of the machine. Itwill beseen that as the cam ro tates, the lever 205 Awill oscillate verticallyy causing the .rotary cam carryingsleeve 144 to reciprocate `upon the spindle 143 ofthe seaming head body while the same is Arevolving, and causes the yfirst and secondy operaltion Ycams 145 and 145 tosuccessively actuatethe seaming rolllev'ers, slides and rolls. The highpartofthe first operation cam 145 is located higher up on the sleeve than the high part of the second operation cam 145. This is because the seaming operation takes place while the cam sleeve 144 is traveling upwardly, and the high partof the first operation cam 145 must actuate .the first operation lever, 'slide and roll before the high part of the second operation cam 1.45 aetuates thel lever slide and roll .for thesecond operation. After the seaming operation is ,completed and the lever 205 has depressed ,the cams the .centrifugal force generated by the fast rotation of the seaming head will causethe'rolls to disengage .themselves from the` can andv slide outwardlytogether vwith their slides andflevers back 'tov normal .position and ready .for another operation. l

What is claimed .is l

1. In. acan `closing.,machine,.,.a,.seaming head having, in combination :,l aplurality vof `seaming rolls;I means for independently iadjust-ing 4said 1011s. to any position Within-limits; and means Independent ing means for moving one of said rolls together with its adjusting means into inoperative position While on the seaming head, leaving the other roll adjusted for a seaming operation, and for restoring the inoperative roll to its adjusted position by the reversal 'of such throwing-out movement.

2. In a can closing machine, a seaming head having, in combination: iirst and second operation seaming rolls; means for independentlj1 adjust-ing said rolls radially to any position Within limits; and means independent of said adjusting means for moving the second operation roll together with its adjusting` means into inoperative position While in the seaming head.,- and for restoring the inoperative roll to its adjusted position by the reversal of such throwing-out .if movement.

3. In a can closing machine for uniting can ends Vto can bodies by means of interfolded and interlocked seams, in combination: a seaming head carrying a plurality7 of seaming rolls, two independent adjusting means for one of said rolls, one of said adjusting means being a normal operative adjustment to regulate the pressure of the roll during the seaming operation While forming the interlocking` seam; and the other of said adjusting means moving the roll together With its pressure regulating adjusting means into inoperative position, and being a disrupting means for temporarily disrupting the operative adjustment and the action of the roll during a cycle of the seaming operation of the remaining roll and allowing the replacing of the inoperative roll into its said normal operative adjustment.

1l. In a can closing machine for uniting can ends to can bodies by means of interfolded and interlocked seams, in combination: a seaming head carrying a plurality of seaming rolls, means for adjusting the normal operative relation of said rolls whereby they will operate with more or less pressure While forming inter-locked seams uniting can ends to can bodies, and additional independent adjusting means for moving one of the rolls together with its pressure regulating adjusting means into inoperative position and temporarily disrupting the adjustment of said roll during a seaming operation of the remaining roll Without changing the normal operative adjusting means of said inoperative roll.

5. In a can closing machine, a seaming head having, in combination: rst and second operation seaming rolls; means for independently adjusting said rolls radially; and an eccentric independent of said adjusting means for throwing out of operation the second operation roll Without removing 1t from the head, and for restoring it to its adjusted position by the reversal of such* throwing-out movement. l

6. In a can closing machine, a seaming head having, in combination; a plurality of slides mounted to operate radially on said head; levers for operating said slides; pivots connecting said levers with the seaming head; means for adjusting the connections between said levers and slides; vertically slidable cams for actuating said levers; an eccentric connected With one of said levers, said eccentric beingl adjustable to make the adjusted throw of its lever operative or inoperative; and seaming rolls mounted on said slides.

7. In a can closing machine, a seaming head having, in combination: a plurality of slides mounted to operate radially on said head; a second series of slides mounted to be radially adjusted on the rst mentioned slides; means ior adjusting the slides of said second series; levers for operating both series of slides in unison, said levers engaging the slides of said second series; pivots connecting said levers With the seaming head; vertically slidable cams for actuating said levers; an eccentric connected With one of vsaid levers, said eccentric being adjustable to make the throw of its lever operative vor inoperative; means for holding said eccentric in either of its'tivo defined positions, and seaming rolls mounted on said rst mentioned slides.

8. In a can closing machine, a seaming head having, in combination: a plurality of slides mounted to operate radially on said head; a second series of slides mounted to be radially adjusted on the first mentioned slides; means for adjusting the slides oit said second series; levers Jfor operating both series of slides in unison, said levers engaging the slides of said second series; pivots connecting said levers With the seaming head; vertically slidable cams for actuating said levers; an eccentric mounting Jfior one of said levers, said mounting being adjustable to make the throw of its lever operative or inoperative; and seaming rolls mounted on said first mentioned slides.

9. In a. can closing machine, a seaming head having, in combination: a plurality of slides mounted to operate radially on said head; a second series of slides mounted to be radially adjusted on the lirst mentioned slides; means for adjusting the slides of said second series; levers for operating both series of slides in unison, said levers engaging the slides of said second series; pivots connecting said levers With the seaming head; vertically slidable cams for actuating said levers; an eccentric surrounding the pivot pin of one of said levers, said eccentric being adjustable to make the throw of its lever operative or inoperative; and seaming rolls mounted on said first mentioned slides.

10. In a seaming head, the combination of a slide, a lever for actuating said slide, a

cam for actuating said lever, a seamingroll adjustably connected with said slide, and means for adjusting the pivot of said lever.

l1. In a seaming head, in combination: a head body; seaming roll slides slidable inwardly and outwardly therein; first and second operation seaming rollscarried by said slides; a chuck member cooperating with the said rolls; cam actuated levers pivotally mounted in the said head body for operating the said slides and rolls; and an eccentric bushing forming the pivotal bearing of the said second operation seaming roll lever, said bushing adapted to be so manipulated as to throw the said second operation roll in to and out of operative position.

12. In a seaming head, in combination: a seaming head body; seaming roll slides movable inwardly and outwardly thereon; adjusting slides adjustably secured to the seaming roll slides; seaming roll actuating levers pivoted in the said body; and an eccentric bushing supporting one of the said levers, said bushing adapted to be so manipulated as to throw one of the seaming rolls out of operative position independently vof the seaming roll adjusting means.

13. In a seaming head, in combination; a seaming head body; a centrally located vertical spindle; first and second operation seaming roll slides movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the axis of the seaming head; first and second operation seaming rolls carried by the said slides; first and second operation seaming roll adjusting slides adjustably secured to the said seaming roll slides; first and second operation seaming roll actuating levers pivotally mounted in the said body; an eccentric bushing supporting the said second operation lever, said bushing being adapted to be manipulated to throw the said second operation roll into and out of operative position without disturbing the adjustment of its roll; means for retaining the said bushing in its adjusted positions and a sleeve, slidable vertically on the said spindle and carrying first and second operation lever actuating cams.

14. In a seaming headfincombination: a seaming head body; a centrally located vertical spindle; first and second operation seaming rolls slides slidable radially therein; first and second operation rolls carried by the said slides; first and second operation seaming roll adjusting slides adjustably secured to the said seaming roll slides; first and second operation seaming roll actuating levers pivotally mounted in the said body; an eccentric bushing having a shouldered head and supporting the said second operation lever, said bushing being Vadapted to be turned, thus moving the pivot point of the said lever toward or away from the center of the seamino head so as to throw the said second operation roll, into or out of operaF tive position without disturbing the adjustment of the said second operation roll; and a recess in the side of the said lever adapted to receive the shouldered head ofthe said eccentric bushing to hold the latter in either of two positions.

l In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature hereto.

FRANK RUDOLPHI. 

